Stringalong
Stringalong at the Burnie Eisteddfod Photo: The Advocate
Gallery
Stringalong in the Atrium - Burnie Shines 2019. Images by Grant Wells Photo
Stringalong provides a quality string teaching program for students in disadvantaged schools. There is no audition process to enter the program. Since its inception in 2007, Stringalong has enabled several hundred students from various schools in the Burnie municipality to experience the challenge of learning violin, cello, viola and double bass. The program is currently active at Havenview, Montello, Burnie, and Romaine Park primary schools, along with Marist Regional College. Some students continue with the program for several years. These players commonly go on to attend the annual week long Residential Summer String Camp. Continuing students have participated in AMEB examinations and others extend their learning with private lessons. Dedicated, long term Stringalong musicians are now active members of the Cradle Coast Community Orchestra.
The Department of Education covers teaching costs. Burnie City Council provides an annual community grant to accommodate the ongoing maintenance of instruments. Other key supporters have included Emu Bay Lions Club, Rotary Club of Burnie, Cripps Nubake, Lion, Grange Resources and Tasmanian Alkaloids. Grants have also been received from the Regional Arts Fund and the Tasmanian Community Fund.
Contact: Josie Riches - josephine.riches@gmail.com.
Burnie Stringalong Orchestra string workshops with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
Ten Days on The Island, Burnie, 2021. Images by Nadeena Beck
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra training session 2022
In October 2022, viola player William Newberry from the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra visited Burnie to run tutoring sessions with the BSO. William worked with both the junior and senior ensembles on current programme repertoire. There was also a short session with everyone involved.
The TSO fully sponsored this workshop. We are very grateful for this support. Players from the senior BSO are featured in the photo along with Will (centre back).